The Honda Passport and Toyota 4Runner are two off-road-oriented midsize SUVs, but they have a few key differences beneath their rugged exteriors. Both are quite capable off-road, but they go about their off-roading in different ways. Let’s take a closer look at these two SUVs and see which is better for you.
2026 Honda Passport
The Honda Passport got a major redesign for the 2026 model year, leaning into its rugged personality. Its updated TrailSport trims — TrailSport and TrailSport Elite — are especially capable and have the style to match. However, the Passport continues to use a car-like unibody architecture, which helps make it roomy and comfortable for on-road cruising.
Honda Passport Highlights
Trusty V6: Plenty of midsize SUV shoppers prefer a naturally aspirated V6 to a turbocharged engine, and the Honda Passport reminds us why that is. The 3.5-liter V6 under the hood of the Passport has a proven record for reliability and delivers confident acceleration with a satisfying sound.
More second-row legroom: Every Honda Passport has two rows of seats, while the Toyota 4Runner has an available third row. The advantage for the Honda is significantly more legroom (6.1 inches more) in the second row compared to the Toyota, plus a pretty generous cargo hold to boot. If you don’t need a third row, your backseat occupants will appreciate the extra space in the Passport.
Better safety scores: The Honda Passport earns the coveted Top Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), and the Toyota 4Runner earns no such award. The Honda earns this honor for its favorable crash-test results and its proven ability to avoid or mitigate collisions with its standard Honda Sensing system.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Passport models near you.
2026 Toyota 4Runner
While the Honda Passport uses a unibody construction, the Toyota 4Runner soldiers on with a truck-like body-on-frame platform. This is the basis of its excellent off-road capabilities, and it means it’s available with true 4-wheel drive (4WD) rather than all-wheel drive (AWD). The Passport can go just about anywhere its drivers need to go, but the 4Runner remains the choice for the serious off-road enthusiast.
Toyota 4Runner Highlights
Outstanding resale value: The Toyota 4Runner’s resale value is among the best of anything with four wheels, earning our KBB Best Resale Value Award, while the Passport’s resale value is merely average. Recouping more money when selling a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on the next one.
Available third row: Available 3-row seating adds extra versatility to the Toyota 4Runner. Granted, it’s not an especially roomy third row, and it cuts into cargo space quite a bit, but it’s there for when you occasionally need extra seats. Every Honda Passport has two rows, but the Honda Pilot TrailSport is a viable alternative in rugged 3-row SUVs.
Hybrid option: Although we love the V6 that powers every 2026 Honda Passport, we also like to see variety under the hood. It comes at a premium, but the hybrid i-FORCE MAX powertrain available in the 4Runner delivers a huge performance improvement and a small efficiency gain over the non-hybrid engine. It’s easy to recommend if your budget allows it.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the 4Runner models near you.
Pricing
New 2026 Honda Passport Prices
|
Retail Price
|
Fair Purchase Price (92620)
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
$46,445 |
$45,700 |
|||
$46,445 |
$45,700 |
|||
$46,445 |
$45,700 |
|||
$50,145 |
$49,300 |
|||
$50,145 |
$49,800 |
|||
$54,145 |
$53,200 |
|||
$54,145 |
$53,200 |
New 2026 Toyota 4Runner Prices
|
Retail Price
|
Fair Purchase Price (92620)
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
$43,565 |
$41,800 |
|||
$50,045 |
$48,000 |
|||
$51,985 |
$49,100 |
|||
$55,405 |
$52,800 |
|||
$57,765 |
$55,600 |
|||
$58,195 |
$55,800 |
The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors. The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for New 2026 Honda Passport vehicles and New 2026 Toyota 4Runner vehicles in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership. These prices are updated weekly. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) quoted includes the destination fee, but does not include tax, license, document fees, and options.
Specifications
| 2026 Honda Passport | 2026 Toyota 4Runner | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 3.5-liter 6-cylinder | 2.4-liter turbo 4-cylinder |
| Towing Capacity | 5,000 pounds | 6,000 pounds |
| Horsepower | 285 hp @ 6,100 rpm | 278 hp @ 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 262 lb-ft @ 5,000 rpm | 317 lb-ft @ 1,700 rpm |
| Transmission | automatic, 10-speed | automatic, 8-speed |
| Fuel Economy | 19 city/25 highway/21 combined mpg | 20 city/24 highway/22 combined mpg |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 3 years/36,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | Not rated | 4 stars |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 7 |
| Wheelbase | 113.6 inches | 112.2 inches |
| Overall Length | 191.5 inches | 194.9 inches |
| Width | 79.4 inches | 77.9 inches |
| Height | 73.1 inches | 72.6 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 39.0 feet | N/A |
| Headroom, Front | 40.5 inches | 39.7 inches |
| Headroom, 2nd Row | 40.7 inches | 37.8 inches |
| Headroom, 3rd Row | N/A | N/A |
| Legroom, Front | 41.1 inches | 41.8 inches |
| Legroom, 2nd Row | 40.9 inches | 34.8 inches |
| Legroom, 3rd Row | N/A | N/A |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 61.9 inches | 58.0 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 2nd Row | 61.7 inches | 57.8 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 3rd Row | N/A | N/A |
| Cargo Behind Last Seat | 44.0 feet | N/A |
| Cargo Behind Second Seat | N/A | 44.8 feet |
| Cargo With All Seats Down | 104.6 feet | N/A |
Specification table reflects the typical configuration of vehicles shown.
Conclusion
Both of these SUVs are great, but they have slightly different skill sets. The Honda Passport comes with many practical benefits, like a roomier second row, a more comfortable on-road driving experience, and top-notch safety ratings. Meanwhile, the Toyota 4Runner holds its value better, has an available third row, a hybrid option, and serious off-road chops. Unless you’re doing some hardcore off-roading, the Passport is the more practical choice. If you crave a more truck-like SUV, then the 4Runner is hard to beat.
